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My brilliant little brother graduated from college this past weekend. I used to change the kid’s diapers and felt much like a parent must as he received many honors and gushing compliments from faculty and friends. I was so proud. Now I am both incredibly excited and scared for him, as I know all to well what a nerve-wracking time of life this can be, leaving the warm cozy bubble of academia for the real world. The commencement speaker gave an amazing speech encouraging the graduates to “embrace a dignified life” and to always strive to work for the common good rather than money, power and position. “Embrace a dignified life”–I love that phrase–I’ve been thinking about it all week. Embrace a dignified life. I know my little bro will have no problem at all with that. Me, I’m a tryin’!

2. Comeback Kid James Frey/Suck-it Oprah

Remember when all the hub-bub happened around James Frey’s book A Million Little Pieces. Basically what was published as a memoir was proven to be largely fictionalized and chaos ensued. Oprah publicly crucified him, the publishers pulled his book off the shelves and then offered refunds. Memoir or not, I enjoyed his book and I dislike Oprah even more after she tore him to shreds on live television. Then I read thisVanity Fair article, which made me even more pissed at the publishers and Oprah. Now he’s got a new fiction book out, Bright Shiny Morning and it is getting awesome reviews. Congrats James Frey, suck it Oprah.

3. Carl Sagan–Guba

I posted the below video on Facebook awhile ago because it features one of my all-time favorite people Carl Sagan talking about the great library of Alexandria. My friend and fellow Sagan fan Mike directed me to this amazing link about how Sagan and his wife fell in love. Mike also directed me to GUBA a site that allows you to download all sorts of awesome video, including the complete series of Cosmos!